Maritime Boundary Dispute Resolution
Summary
The Seago Vortex dispute involves complex issues of maritime boundaries and resource exploitation between Artavia and Belem. Under UNCLOS, coastal states have rights to explore and exploit resources within their EEZs, but these rights are subject to environmental protection obligations. Evidence of environmental harm can strengthen Belems case against Artavia. Additionally, joint ventures like OceanaCorps operations must comply with international regulations. Consider the economic and environmental implications of stopping oil extraction and focus on specific legal grounds to support Belems claims.Full Conversation
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
SPECIAL AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ARTAVIA (APPLICANT)
AND THE STATE OF BELEMI (RESPONDENT)
TO SUBMIT TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PARTIES
CONCERNING THE SEAGO VORTEX
Jointly notified to the Court on * September *
JOINT NOTIFICATION ADDRESSED TO THE REGISTRAR OF THE
COURT
The Hague, * September *
On behalf of Applicant, the Republic of Artavia, and Respondent, the State of Belem, in accordance
with Article *(*) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, we have the honor to transmit to
you for submission to the International Court of Justice an original of the Special Agreement of the
Differences between the Applicant and the Respondent concerning the Seago Vortex, signed in The
Hague, The Netherlands, on the twentieth day of September in the year two thousand twenty-four.
(Signed)
His Excellency Robert Malcom
Ambassador of the Republic of Artavia to the
Kingdom of the Netherlands
(Signed)
Her Excellency Natalia Rodriguez
Ambassador of the State of Belem to the
Kingdom of the Netherlands
*
STATEMENT OF AGREED FACTS
*. The Seago Vortex is a strategically significant maritime area located in the Northern
Seaboard, bordered by the Republic of Artavia to the east and the State of Belem to the west.
Covering approximately *,* square kilometers, this region is renowned for its abundant
fisheries and substantial mineral resources, including oil and natural gas reserves. For
centuries, the Seago Vortex has been a critical fishing ground, sustaining the livelihoods of
local communities in both countries. The area's economic importance has grown with the
discovery of valuable underwater resources, making it a focal point of national interest for
both Artavia and Belem.
*. Due to the impacts of climate change, the coastline in the Northern Seaboard has been
receding, exacerbating disputes over maritime boundaries between Artavia and Belem.
Coastal erosion has had profound socio-economic effects on local communities in both
countries. For instance, the Artavian village of Vero has lost over *% of its landmass to the
sea over the past decade, displacing more than *,* residents. Similarly, the Belemese town
of Lantana has seen its fishing docks submerged, severely disrupting the local fishing industry
and resulting in significant economic losses. Additionally, the erosion has led to disputes over
the baseline from which territorial waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZ) are measured.
*. The receding coastline has altered the physical geography of the region, impacting the
baseline from which maritime zones are calculated. Artavia and Belem have each attempted
to adjust their baselines to reflect the new realities, leading to overlapping claims. According
to UNCLOS Article *, "the normal baseline for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea is
the low-water line along the coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the
coastal State." Disputes have arisen over the interpretation of these adjustments, with Artavia
claiming that the new baseline should reflect the historic extent of its coastline, while Belem
insists on a baseline that corresponds to the current low-water mark. This discrepancy affects
the delimitation of their respective EEZs, extending up to * nautical miles from the baseline
as per UNCLOS Article *.
*. Artavia and Belem, both of which gained independence from colonial rule in the early 20th
century, have since developed robust maritime industries. The Seago Vortex has become
increasingly crucial to their economies, significantly contributing to their GDPs through both
traditional fishing activities and, more recently, oil extraction. Historical documents, including
the * Maritime Agreement, reveal that both nations have long asserted claims over the
Seago Vortex, leading to a protracted and complex dispute over the rightful ownership and
exploitation of its resources. Both countries have engaged in unilateral and joint efforts to
explore and exploit these resources, further complicating the legal landscape.
*. The * Maritime Agreement between Artavia and Belem is frequently cited by both parties
to justify their claims. Artavia argues that the agreement explicitly recognized its sovereignty
over the Seago Vortex, while Belem contends that the agreement merely outlined provisional
fishing rights without addressing sovereignty. An extract from the * Maritime Agreement
states: "Both Parties agree to cooperate in the sustainable exploitation of the Seago Vortex,
*
recognizing mutual interests in maintaining the viability of the fisheries and other marine
resources."
*. In *, Belem experienced significant political turmoil when General Hugo Santos, the head
of the military, orchestrated a coup against the sitting president, Dr. Maria Fernandez. Both
Santos and Fernandez claimed to be the legitimate president of Belem, resulting in the
formation of two rival administrations. General Santos established control over the northern
regions, including the capital city of Solara, while Dr. Fernandez's government operated from
the southern city of Portella. This division led to conflicting international agreements and
treaties being signed by the two administrations, affecting the legitimacy and enforceability of
these documents.
*. The international community was initially divided in its recognition of the two governments.
The United Nations and several major powers initially recognized General Santos due to his
control over key government institutions. However, reports of human rights violations
committed by Santos' forces, including the infamous "Solara Massacre" where * civilians
were killed, led many countries to switch their recognition to Dr. Fernandez. By *, the
majority of the international community, including Artavia, recognized Dr. Fernandez as the
legitimate president of Belem. This shift in recognition has implications for the validity of
international agreements and treaties signed by Belem during this period. A * UN
Resolution expressed deep concern over the reports of widespread human rights abuses in
Belem and acknowledged the administration of Dr. Maria Fernandez as the legitimate
representative of the Belemese people.
*. General Santos’ administration was accused of committing grave human rights violations,
including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention of political opponents. Despite
these accusations, Santos invoked immunity as a head of state, arguing that he could not be
prosecuted for actions taken in his official capacity. International human rights organizations,
such as Amnesty International, documented numerous cases of abuse under his regime. One
notable case involved the torture of political activist Elena Marquez, whose ordeal became a
rallying point for international condemnation. The legal question of immunity versus
accountability for gross human rights violations remains a contentious issue in this context.
*. In a press conference, Dr. Maria Fernandez stated, "Our administration is committed to a
peaceful resolution that respects international law and the rights of our people. We believe
that the ICJ is the appropriate forum for this dispute, and we are ready to present our case."
*. In *, Artavia passed a Naturalization by Investment Act (NIA), allowing foreign nationals
to acquire Artavian citizenship by making substantial investments in the country. The NIA
aimed to attract foreign capital to boost the economy. The program was widely advertised,
highlighting the benefits of Artavian citizenship, including visa-free travel to many countries
and access to Artavia’s financial services. Notable figures who acquired Artavian citizenship
under this program include billionaire investor John Thornton and tech entrepreneur Li Wei.
The influx of new citizens and their investments had significant economic and political
impacts, affecting domestic and foreign policies. The Artavian Minister of Finance remarked,
"The Naturalization by Investment Act has provided substantial economic benefits, allowing
Artavia to modernize its infrastructure and improve public services."
*
*. The Seago Vortex’s resources became a focal point of economic development for both
countries. In *, Artavia discovered significant oil reserves in its maritime zone, leading to
an economic boom. Belem, under the administration of Dr. Fernandez, sought to expand its
fishing industry and initiated joint ventures with international companies, such as the
partnership with OceanaCorp, to explore mineral resources in the Seago Vortex. The joint
venture with OceanaCorp, for instance, led to the discovery of rare earth minerals critical for
high-tech manufacturing. These activities have raised questions about the sustainable and
equitable exploitation of shared resources.
*. Artavia's discovery of oil reserves has led to an economic boom, but also to increased
environmental concerns and disputes with Belem over the delimitation of maritime zones.
Belem's joint ventures in the Seago Vortex have similarly led to economic benefits and
environmental challenges. An excerpt from the OceanaCorp Partnership Agreement states:
"The partnership between Belem and OceanaCorp aims to responsibly explore and extract
mineral resources in the Seago Vortex, ensuring minimal environmental impact and equitable
profit-sharing."
*. Environmental organizations, including Green Earth and Ocean Protectors, raised concerns
about the sustainability of resource extraction in the Seago Vortex, calling for stricter
regulations to protect the marine environment. These organizations documented a decline in
fish populations and the degradation of coral reefs, attributing these issues to overfishing and
pollution from oil drilling. The environmental degradation has led to calls for international
environmental regulations and the enforcement of existing treaties to protect marine
ecosystems. A statement from a Green Earth report highlighted: "The unchecked exploitation
of the Seago Vortex's resources has led to alarming rates of fish population decline and coral
reef degradation, necessitating immediate international regulatory intervention."
*. In *, Artavia, Belem, and other neighboring countries formed the North Sea Regional
Organization (NSRO) to promote regional cooperation and address shared challenges,
including maritime boundary disputes and environmental protection. The treaty establishing
the NSRO included a compromissory clause obligating members to submit disputes to the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) for resolution. The interpretation of this clause is now in
question, as both Artavia and Belem have sought to invoke it in their ongoing disputes. The
legal standing and scope of this compromissory clause are central to the current proceedings.
An extract from the NSRO Treaty states: "Member states agree to submit any disputes arising
from the interpretation or application of this treaty to the International Court of Justice for
final and binding resolution."
*. In *, a confrontation occurred between Artavian and Belemese naval vessels in the Seago
Vortex. Both sides accused each other of violating their maritime zones and endangering the
lives of their personnel. During the incident, the Artavian frigate "Aventura" and the
Belemese corvette "Santos II" came dangerously close to collision, with both sides firing
warning shots. The incident escalated tensions and led to a series of diplomatic protests and
calls for international mediation. The legal implications of these confrontations include
potential violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). An
excerpt from UNCLOS Article * emphasizes: "States are required to take all necessary
measures to ensure the safety of navigation and to prevent collisions at sea, particularly in
disputed maritime zones."
*
*. In a recent broadcast by the International Maritime News Network, the ongoing tensions
between Artavia and Belem were highlighted. The report stated, "The Seago Vortex dispute
has reached a critical point, with both nations heavily invested in the outcome. The recent
naval incident has only served to deepen the divide, with international observers calling for
calm and urging both parties to abide by international legal standards."
*. Artavia and Belem engaged in several rounds of negotiations to resolve their differences but
were unable to reach an agreement. Both parties accused each other of bad faith and
unwillingness to compromise. In *, Artavia unilaterally submitted the dispute to the ICJ,
invoking the compromissory clause of the NSRO treaty. Belem initially objected but later
agreed to participate in the proceedings under certain conditions. The legal arguments
regarding the binding nature of the compromissory clause and the jurisdiction of the ICJ will
be pivotal in these proceedings.
*. Both Artavia and Belem have agreed to submit their disputes to the ICJ and have committed
to accepting the Court’s judgment as final and binding. They have also agreed to abide by any
provisional measures the Court may order to prevent further escalation of the conflict. Several
countries and international organizations have expressed support for the peaceful resolution of
the dispute through the ICJ. The United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, and
various human rights groups have offered to provide technical assistance and observers to
ensure transparency and compliance with international law. The United Nations
Secretary-General stated, "The peaceful resolution of disputes through international legal
mechanisms is essential for maintaining global stability and upholding the rule of law."
RELIEFS SOUGHT
The Republic of Artavia requests the Court to adjudge and declare that:
*. The Seago Vortex falls under the sovereign control of Artavia, and the unilateral declaration
of an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) by Artavia around the Seago Vortex is consistent with
international law.
*. Belem must cease all unlawful fishing and mineral extraction activities in the waters
surrounding the Seago Vortex and respect Artavia's sovereign rights over its maritime zones.
*. Belem must compensate Artavia for the environmental damage caused by its activities in the
Seago Vortex, including the costs of restoration and preventive measures.
*. Belem must respect the rights of Artavian citizens, ensuring non-discrimination and
protection against unlawful detention and harassment in the disputed areas.
The State of Belem requests the Court to adjudge and declare that:
*. The Seago Vortex falls under the sovereign control of Belem, and the unilateral declaration of
an EEZ by Artavia is a violation of the NSRO treaty and international law.
*. Artavia must cease its unlawful exploitation of resources in the Seago Vortex and dismantle
any installations established in violation of international agreements.
*
*. Artavia must compensate Belem for the economic losses suffered due to the disruption of
Belemese fishing and mineral extraction activities, including lost revenue and costs incurred.
*. Artavia must respect the rights of Belemese citizens, ensuring their safety, freedom from
unlawful detention, and protection against discriminatory practices in the region.
*
ANNEXURES
Annex A: Selected Articles of the North Sea Regional Organization (NSRO) Treaty
Preamble
The member states of the North Sea Regional Organization (NSRO), recognizing the importance of
regional cooperation, environmental protection, and peaceful resolution of disputes, agree to the
following principles and provisions:
Article *: Establishment of the NSRO
The North Sea Regional Organization is hereby established to promote cooperation among member
states in the North Sea region.
Article *: Maritime Boundary Disputes
Member states agree to submit any disputes regarding maritime boundaries to the International Court
of Justice (ICJ) for binding resolution.
Article *: Environmental Protection
Member states commit to sustainable resource extraction practices and to protecting the marine
environment within their jurisdiction. This includes adhering to international environmental standards
and conducting environmental impact assessments for any major projects in the North Sea region.
Article *: Compromissory Clause
Any dispute arising between member states concerning the interpretation or application of this treaty
shall be submitted to the ICJ for resolution, and the decision of the Court shall be final and binding.
*
Annex B: Documentation of Human Rights Violation Reports
Report by Amnesty International
Title: Human Rights Violations in Belem: An Investigative Report
Date: March *
Overview: This report presents a comprehensive investigation into the human rights abuses
committed by the administration of General Hugo Santos in Belem from * to *. The findings
highlight severe violations including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention.
Key Findings:
Extrajudicial Killings:
The Solara Massacre is one of the most egregious incidents, where military forces opened fire on a
peaceful protest on April *, *, resulting in the death of * civilians. Eyewitness accounts and
forensic evidence corroborate the use of excessive and lethal force by government troops.
Torture and Arbitrary Detention:
The report documents the existence of secret detention centers where political prisoners were held
without trial. These facilities were characterized by overcrowding, lack of basic amenities, and
inhumane conditions. A notable case is that of Elena Marquez, a political activist who was subjected
to electric shocks and waterboarding, as detailed in her harrowing testimony of physical and
psychological abuse.
Enforced Disappearances:
Patterns of enforced disappearances involved abductions carried out by military personnel, often
under the cover of night. The victims, many of whom were political dissidents, were never seen again,
leaving families without any information on their fate.
International Response:
In response to these atrocities, the United Nations, United States, and European Union imposed
targeted sanctions on key figures within Santos' regime. International NGOs provided humanitarian
aid to support survivors and the families of the disappeared. The international community has
repeatedly called for accountability and justice for the victims of these human rights violations.
Report by Human Rights Watch
Title: Systematic Abuses under General Santos: A Human Rights Watch Report
Date: July *
Overview: This report by Human Rights Watch delves into the systematic nature of human rights
abuses perpetrated under General Hugo Santos' rule, underscoring the complicity of military and
police forces in these violations.
Key Findings:
Legal Framework and Abuses:
The administration's use of emergency decrees effectively suspended civil liberties, granting the
military sweeping powers that led to arbitrary arrests and indefinite detention of political opponents.
Military tribunals conducted secret trials devoid of due process, resulting in severe penalties.
*
Case Studies:
Luis Ortega, a labor union leader, was arrested in November *. He was subjected to severe torture
and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment by a military tribunal. Similarly, journalist Isabella
Fernandez was detained in January *, held in solitary confinement for 18 months, and endured
both physical and psychological torture.
International Reactions:
The international community responded with targeted sanctions against those responsible for the
abuses, which significantly impacted the Belemese economy. Diplomatic condemnations from various
governments and offers of asylum for victims underscored the global denunciation of Santos' regime.
United Nations Human Rights Council Report
Title: Human Rights Situation in Belem: Report of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Date: December *
Overview: This authoritative report by the UNHRC details the extensive human rights violations
committed under General Santos' administration, focusing on extrajudicial killings, torture, and
enforced disappearances.
Key Findings:
Extrajudicial Killings:
The report documents hundreds of cases of extrajudicial killings, with many more suspected. These
killings primarily targeted political opponents and civilians, creating an atmosphere of fear and
repression.
Torture and Ill-Treatment:
Detainees were subjected to brutal methods of torture, including beatings, electric shocks,
waterboarding, and prolonged isolation. Conditions in detention facilities were inhumane, with reports
of severe overcrowding and lack of basic necessities.
Arbitrary Detentions and Enforced Disappearances:
The administration's practices included indefinite detention without trial and numerous cases of
enforced disappearances. Political prisoners and civilians were abducted, with no information
provided to their families regarding their whereabouts.
Recommendations:
The report urges the Belemese government to implement judicial reforms and establish mechanisms to
investigate and prosecute those responsible for human rights abuses. It also calls on the international
community to maintain pressure on the Santos administration and support efforts to bring perpetrators
to justice.
*
Annex C: Statements of Recognition by International States of the Two Belem
Governments
Initial Recognition of General Santos (*-*):
United Nations Statement: Date: November *
Overview: The United Nations initially recognized General Santos' administration, citing his control
over key government institutions and the capital. However, this recognition came with concerns about
potential human rights abuses and a call for adherence to international standards.
Key Points:
*. Control Over Institutions:
○ General Santos' administration controlled major government institutions, including
the military and police.
*. International Relations:
○ Initial diplomatic relations were established with other countries recognizing Santos'
government.
*. Concerns and Caveats:
○ The statement included concerns about reports of human rights abuses and urged the
new administration to adhere to international human rights standards.
Statements from Major Powers:
*. United States:
Date: December *
Overview: The U.S. State Department issued a statement recognizing General Santos'
government, citing stability and control over key regions. The statement emphasized the
importance of democratic processes and urged Santos to hold free elections.
*. European Union: Date: January *
Overview: The European Union recognized Santos' government but expressed strong
reservations about the legitimacy of the coup. The EU called for immediate steps to restore
democratic governance and respect for human rights.
Shift in Recognition to Dr. Fernandez (*-*):
United Nations Statement: Date: May *
Overview: Following reports of widespread human rights abuses by General Santos' forces, the UN
shifted its recognition to Dr. Fernandez, acknowledging her as the legitimate president of Belem.
Key Points:
*. Human Rights Violations:
○ Detailed reports of atrocities committed under Santos' regime prompted the shift in
recognition.
*
*. Democratic Legitimacy:
○ Dr. Fernandez’s commitment to democratic principles and human rights was
emphasized.
*. International Support:
○ Increased international support for Dr. Fernandez, with many countries aligning their
diplomatic stances accordingly.
Statements from Major Powers:
*. United States: Date: July *
Overview: The U.S. officially switched recognition to Dr. Fernandez, condemning the human
rights abuses of the Santos administration and supporting democratic governance.
*. European Union: Date: September *
Overview: The EU issued a formal recognition of Dr. Fernandez, along with sanctions
against key figures in Santos’ administration for their involvement in human rights violations.
Current Recognition Status (*):
List of Countries Recognizing Dr. Fernandez:
*. Artavia:
Date: June *
Overview: Artavia formally recognized Dr. Fernandez as the legitimate president of Belem
and established diplomatic relations with her administration.
*. Canada: Date: August *
Overview: Canada recognized Dr. Fernandez and provided humanitarian aid to support the
rebuilding efforts in southern Belem.
*. Australia: Date: October *
Overview: Australia switched recognition to Dr. Fernandez and offered technical assistance
to support democratic governance and human rights initiatives.
Diplomatic Notes:
*. Artavia to Belem (Fernandez Administration):
○ Expresses support for Dr. Fernandez and outlines plans for bilateral cooperation in
areas of economic development and environmental protection.
*. Belem (Fernandez Administration) to International Community:
○ Appeals for international recognition and support, highlighting the commitment to
democratic principles and human rights.
*. Responses from Other States:
○ Various diplomatic notes from countries acknowledging Dr. Fernandez and offering
assistance in different capacities.
*
It seems you have a complex international legal issue involving the Republic of Artavia and the State of Belem. Could you please specify what specific legal guidance you are seeking?
what are the disputes here with regards to seago vortex
The Seago Vortex dispute between Artavia and Belem involves:
*. Sovereignty claims over the Seago Vortex, including control over abundant fisheries and mineral resources.
*. Disputes over maritime boundaries due to coastal erosion.
*. Discrepancies in baseline adjustments leading to overlapping claims.
*. Disputes over the historical * Maritime Agreement.
*. Issues of human rights violations and immunity.
*. Sustainability and environmental concerns over resource extraction.
*. Disputes over the North Sea Regional Organization (NSRO) Treaty's compromissory clause.
*. Incidents of potential violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Please specify your question for more precise guidance.
*. Sovereignty claims over the Seago Vortex, including control over abundant fisheries and mineral resources.
*. Disputes over maritime boundaries due to coastal erosion.
*. Discrepancies in baseline adjustments leading to overlapping claims.
*. Disputes over the historical * Maritime Agreement.
*. Issues of human rights violations and immunity.
*. Sustainability and environmental concerns over resource extraction.
*. Disputes over the North Sea Regional Organization (NSRO) Treaty's compromissory clause.
*. Incidents of potential violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Please specify your question for more precise guidance.
how could the countries claim soverignity why is this question even asked when exclusive economic zone cannot be claimed by anyyone
Sovereignty over a maritime zone and the declaration of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are related but distinct concepts.
*. Sovereignty: This is the supreme power that a country has over its territory. In maritime zones, sovereignty extends up to the territorial sea (* nautical miles from the baseline).
*. EEZ: Beyond the territorial sea, up to * nautical miles, a state may declare an EEZ where it has special rights to explore and use marine resources.
Disputes may arise due to overlapping EEZs or differing interpretations of maritime laws.
*. Sovereignty: This is the supreme power that a country has over its territory. In maritime zones, sovereignty extends up to the territorial sea (* nautical miles from the baseline).
*. EEZ: Beyond the territorial sea, up to * nautical miles, a state may declare an EEZ where it has special rights to explore and use marine resources.
Disputes may arise due to overlapping EEZs or differing interpretations of maritime laws.
so how should i frame the first issue like for The Seago Vortex falls under the sovereign control of Belem, and the unilateral declaration of
an EEZ by Artavia is a violation of the NSRO treaty and international law.
To frame the first issue, you could state:
"Under international law, the Seago Vortex is considered to be within the sovereign control of Belem. Therefore, Artavia's unilateral declaration of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the Seago Vortex is in alleged contravention of the North Sea Regional Organization (NSRO) treaty's provisions and the principles of international maritime law."
"Under international law, the Seago Vortex is considered to be within the sovereign control of Belem. Therefore, Artavia's unilateral declaration of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the Seago Vortex is in alleged contravention of the North Sea Regional Organization (NSRO) treaty's provisions and the principles of international maritime law."
now my question is how could artavia establish soverign contro over seago vortex when it is not in the trritoeial sea of aratvia instead in the exclusive economic zone
Artavia could argue for sovereignty over the Seago Vortex in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) based on factors like:
*. Historic rights or usage.
*. Economic dependence of local communities on the vortex.
*. Proximity and accessibility from Artavia.
*. The principle of equity in international law.
However, it's important to note that under UNCLOS, sovereignty usually doesn't extend to the EEZ, and disputes are typically resolved through international arbitration or negotiation.
*. Historic rights or usage.
*. Economic dependence of local communities on the vortex.
*. Proximity and accessibility from Artavia.
*. The principle of equity in international law.
However, it's important to note that under UNCLOS, sovereignty usually doesn't extend to the EEZ, and disputes are typically resolved through international arbitration or negotiation.
so when argueing in front pf ICJ could we go in contravantion of UNCLOS
While arguing before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it is generally not advisable to contravene the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) because:
*. ICJ recognizes and upholds the rules of UNCLOS.
*. UNCLOS is a widely accepted legal framework governing maritime issues.
*. Contravening UNCLOS may weaken the legal standing of the argument.
*. ICJ recognizes and upholds the rules of UNCLOS.
*. UNCLOS is a widely accepted legal framework governing maritime issues.
*. Contravening UNCLOS may weaken the legal standing of the argument.
so how to better frame the soverignity part
In framing the sovereignty argument, you could state: "We assert that the Seago Vortex falls under the sovereignty of (Artavia/Belem) based on historical rights, economic reliance of local communities, and proximity. We recognize that these arguments are within the context of the UNCLOS principles. We request the Court to consider these unique circumstances and apply the principle of equity in international law to resolve this dispute."
but how could sovereignty be included
Sovereignty can be included in your argument by focusing on:
*. Historical Sovereignty: Evidence of control or administration over the Seago Vortex.
*. Effective Occupation: Demonstrating continuous and peaceful exercise of sovereignty.
*. Economic Activity: Evidence of substantial economic activity in the region.
Remember, your argument should be consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS.
*. Historical Sovereignty: Evidence of control or administration over the Seago Vortex.
*. Effective Occupation: Demonstrating continuous and peaceful exercise of sovereignty.
*. Economic Activity: Evidence of substantial economic activity in the region.
Remember, your argument should be consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS.
by proving all these even when it falls in the exclusive economic zone will it fall under the sovereignty of aratavia
Under the UNCLOS, sovereignty usually doesn't extend to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). However, Artavia can argue based on:
*. Historic rights or usage.
*. Economic dependence of local communities.
*. Proximity and accessibility.
It's important to note that the final decision rests with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which takes into consideration various factors.
*. Historic rights or usage.
*. Economic dependence of local communities.
*. Proximity and accessibility.
It's important to note that the final decision rests with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which takes into consideration various factors.
if it is not sovereignty then what could i argue
If sovereignty is not the main argument, Artavia can argue based on:
*. The right to exploit the resources within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under UNCLOS.
*. The principle of equity, considering the economic dependence of local communities on the Seago Vortex.
*. Historic usage and rights, if applicable.
*. Compliance with environmental obligations and sustainable practices.
Remember, the aim is to resolve the dispute in a manner that's consistent with international law.
*. The right to exploit the resources within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under UNCLOS.
*. The principle of equity, considering the economic dependence of local communities on the Seago Vortex.
*. Historic usage and rights, if applicable.
*. Compliance with environmental obligations and sustainable practices.
Remember, the aim is to resolve the dispute in a manner that's consistent with international law.
are there any scenarios where icj has declared a area in the exclusive economic zone to be a soverign part of some other country
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) typically doesn't declare an area in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as sovereign territory of a country. The ICJ adjudicates based on principles of international law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which states that sovereignty does not usually extend to the EEZ. However, there have been cases where the ICJ has resolved maritime disputes involving EEZs, such as the Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean (Somalia v. Kenya).
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jsn
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION
IN ITS COMMERCIAL DIVISION
INTERIM APPLICATION (L) NO.* OF *
IN
COM IPR SUIT (L) NO.* OF *
Arijit Singh …Applicant /
Plaintiff
Versus
Codible Ventures LLP and Ors. …Defendants
----------
Hiren Kamod, Prem Khullar, Neha Iyer, Vaibhav Keni and Priyanka
Joshi i/b. Legasis Partners for the Applicant / Plaintiff.
----------
CORAM : R.I. CHAGLA J.
DATE : 26TH JULY, *.
ORDER :
*. At the outset, Mr. Kamod, Ld. Advocate for the Plaintiff,
tendered a draft amendment seeking to make some corrections
to the Plaint, as more particularly set out in the draft
amendment. In the interest of justice, the amendment is
allowed. The draft amendment is taken on record and marked as
‘X’ for identification. Reverification is dispensed with. The
amendments should be carried out within two weeks from the
*/*
JITENDRA
SHANKAR
NIJASURE
Digitally
signed by
JITENDRA
SHANKAR
NIJASURE
Date:
*.*.*
*:*:*
+*
::: Uploaded on - */*/* ::: Downloaded on - */*/* *:*:* :::
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date when this order is made available.
*. Mr. Kamod seeks to move without notice to the Defendants for
the reasons set out in paragraph * of the Plaint. I find that
sufficient averments and disclosures are made in the Plaint to
sustain the ex-parte application.
*. In the present suit, the Plaintiff is seeking protection of his
personality rights viz. his own name, voice, signatures,
photograph, image, caricature, likeness, persona, and various
other attributes of his personality against unauthorized /
unlicensed commercial exploitation, misuse of all hues thereof.
The suit also pertains to the violation of the Plaintiff’s moral
rights in his performances conferred upon him by virtue of
Section *-B of the Copyright Act, *.
*. It is stated that the Plaintiff hails from a small town named
Murshidabad, in West Bengal, and has had humble beginnings.
It is stated that the Plaintiff had immense passion for music from
a very young age, leading to his journey from being a contestant
on a musical reality TV show "Fame Gurukul", to a celebrated
playback singer today. It is stated that today, the Plaintiff is one
of the most celebrated, acclaimed and successful singers / artists
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in the world. It is stated that the Plaintiff is recognized as a
cultural icon globally and has been acclaimed as one of the
foremost singers worldwide. The Plaintiff’s music appeals to a
broad audience, across various age groups and demographics. It
is stated that the Plaintiff has emerged as the most sought-after
playback singers in the Indian music industry.
*. It is stated that the Plaintiff has achieved immense success,
goodwill and reputation as a singer due to his notable
contributions to the music industry in India as well as abroad. It
is stated that the Plaintiff’s repertoire spans across romantic
ballads, Sufi renditions, peppy party tracks, and everything in
between. Some of the Plaintiff’s most notable songs, such as
“Tum Hi Ho” from the movie “Aashiqui *”, “Channa Mereya”
from the movie “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”, “Raabta” from the movie
“Agent Vinod”, “Kesariya” from the movie “Brahmastra” have
become chart-toppers. A list of songs which have been sung by
the Plaintiff is at Exhibit “A” to the Plaint. Screenshots /
printouts from streaming platforms showing particulars of the
videos / sound recordings forming part of the Plaintiff’s
repertoire as available on various platforms are at Exhibit “A-*”
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to the Plaint. Details as available online / Wikipedia page in
respect of the Plaintiff’s career are at Exhibit “A-*” to the Plaint.
A pen drive containing the Plaintiff’s voice recordings / songs /
repertoire is at Exhibit “A-*” to the Plaint.
*. It is stated that the Plaintiff, through his extraordinary
contributions and accomplishments, has earned a tremendous
reputation and widespread goodwill amongst the members of
the general public and in the Indian music industry. It is stated
that over the course of his extensive career spanning several
years, he has earned tremendous popularity and fandom from
both the industry and audiences alike and has also solidified his
standing as a prominent figure in the music industry.
Screenshots / extracts / pages of the Plaintiff’s social media
accounts on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly
known as Twitter) and YouTube are at Exhibit “B-*” to the
Plaint. Printouts of various digital articles on the Plaintiff are at
Exhibit “B” to the Plaint. Printouts of webpages from
https://www.forbesindia.com/ showing the Plaintiff’s name
amongst the list of celebrities on the Celebrity * list for the
years *, * and * are at Exhibit “C” to the Plaint.
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Printouts of digital articles covering the story of the Plaintiff
topping the charts on the music platform “Spotify” are at Exhibit
“C-*” to the Plaint. Printouts of webpages from
https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/ showing the list of
tours and concerts done by the Plaintiff are at Exhibit “C-*” to
the Plaint. A list of awards won by the Plaintiff is at Exhibit “D”
to the Plaint. Screenshots / pages / articles available online
evincing various awards won by the Plaintiff are at Exhibit “D-*”
to the Plaint. Printouts of webpages from the website hosted on
https://www.tatwamasi.info/ showing the activities of the
Plaintiff’s Tatwamasi Foundation are at Exhibit “E” to the Plaint.
*. It is stated that the protectable facets of the Plaintiff’s
personality right and publicity rights, that are the subject matter
of the present suit include the following:
(a)the Plaintiff’s name;
(b)the Plaintiff’s voice / vocal style and technique / vocal
arrangements and interpretations;
(c)the Plaintiff’s mannerism / manner of singing;
(d) the Plaintiff’s image / photograph / caricature and his
likeness; and
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(e)the Plaintiff’s signature.
At paragraphs * to * of the Plaint, the Plaintiff has described
in great detail the manner in which the aforesaid facets of the
Plaintiff’s personality rights have come to be exclusively
associated with him.
*. It is stated that as a well-known singer and celebrity, the Plaintiff
holds the right to command and control the use of his
personality traits since the same form part of his exclusive
Personality Rights and Publicity Rights. It is stated that the
misappropriation of any attribute of the Plaintiff’s personality
traits without his express permission for a commercial purpose is
liable to be restrained not only on the basis of the publicity
rights namely the exclusive right to commercially exploit one’s
personality but also on the basis of the tort of dilution, more
particularly, tarnishment. It is further stated that any
unauthorized distortion, mutilation, or other modification, or
dissemination of the Plaintiff’s performances / voice or video
recordings thereof, causing prejudice/harm to his reputation,
would amount to a violation of the Plaintiff’s moral rights in his
performances under Sections *-B of the Copyright Act, *.
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*. According to the Plaintiff, the infringing activities of the
Defendants that necessitated the filing of the present Suit are as
under:
A. Artificial Intelligence (AI) models / tools to synthesize
artificial sound recordings of the Plaintiff’s voice
(i) Defendant Nos. * to * are Artificial Intelligence platforms
and / or their owners / founders / managers / operators as
also Promoters that utilize sophisticated algorithms to
create audio and visual content inter-alia
mimicking/reproducing the features, such as the Plaintiff’s
name, voice, mannerism / manner of singing, photograph,
image, likeness, persona, and other attributes of his
personality. It is stated that the Defendants Nos. * to * are
deliberately using the Plaintiff’s personality traits to ride
upon the Plaintiff’s goodwill and reputation.
(ii) Defendant No.* operates an AI platform which allows
conversion of any speech or voice recording or audio file
inter-alia into the Plaintiff’s voice by using Real Voice
Cloning (RVC) method. It is stated that a data set consisting
of * songs from the Plaintiff’s repertoire are
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unauthorizedly uploaded onto the AI Platform of Defendant
No. * for the purposes of enabling any person to convert
any text / speech / voice recording / audio file to the
Plaintiff’s AI voice version. It is stated that one of the
founders of the Defendant No. * has uploaded a video on
the Defendant No. *’s social media channel on YouTube,
wherein he is promoting / advertising a step wise guideline
for unauthorized conversion of any text or speech or voice
recording or audio file inter-alia into the Plaintiff’s voice by
using the AI platform of Defendant No.*. In this Impugned
Video *, the audience / members of the public are urged to
use the steps demonstrated in the video to convert their
own voice and / or any sound recording and / or song of
their choice to the voice of their desired celebrity including
inter alia the Plaintiff by using the platform of Defendant
No.*. A copy of the Impugned Video * using the Plaintiff’s
personality traits as uploaded by the Defendant No. * on its
YouTube channel is filed in a pen-drive annexed as Exhibit
“H” to the Plaint. In the Impugned Video * uploaded on a
third party’s channel on YouTube (as more particularly
provided at paragraph *(I)(vii) of the Plaint), the said
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founder of the Defendant No. * once again demonstrates,
promotes and advertises a stepwise guideline as mentioned
for the Impugned Video * to unauthorizedly convert text,
speech, sound recordings and / or songs to the Plaintiff’s
voice by using the AI platform of Defendant No.*. The
relevant averments in respect of Defendant Nos. * to * are
at paragraphs *(I)(i) to *(I)(x) of the Plaint. The
documents, screenshots and videos in support thereof are
at Exhibits “G” to “K-*” to the Plaint.
(iii) It is stated that the Defendant No. *, is an AI platform
operated through the website, i.e., www.jammable.com
(formerly www.voicify.ai) , for creating music using AI
models of well-known singers / celebrity, etc. and appears
to be founded by the Defendant No. *. It is stated that AI
Voice Models with the Plaintiff’s name and photographs
have been created on the website of the Defendant No. *,
which can be accessed at
https://www.jammable.com/models?q=arijit%20singh
(formerly on www.voicify.ai). On this website, by providing
any YouTube link or audio file, the Defendant No. *’s
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website converts it to the Plaintiff’s AI voice and results /
output. The Impugned Video * evincing the above is stored
electronically in a pen-drive filed along with the Plaint at
Exhibit “M”. Screenshots from the website i.e.
www.jammable.com are at Exhibit “M” to the Plaint.
(iv) It is stated that the Defendant No. * operates the AI
platforms through the websites i.e., www.topmediai.com
and https://filme.imyfone.com as per the contact us pages
at https://www.topmediai.com/contact-us/ and
https://www.imyfone.com/company/contact-us/,
respectively. It is stated that on the website
www.topmediai.com, there is a blog post / article on how
to use their portal for text / speech / voice conversion to
Plaintiff’s voice, which can be found at
https://www.topmediai.com/text-speaker/arijit-singhvoice/. It is stated that apart from this blog post, the said
website also directs the user to
https://www.topmediai.com/text-to-speech/, where any
text/ speech or voice can be converted into the Plaintiff’s AI
voice. Screenshots from the website, i.e.,
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https://www.topmediai.com/text-to-speech/ and a video of
the screen recording from the said website in a pen drive,
evincing the above are at Exhibit “O” to the Plaint.
(v) It is stated that Defendant No. *’s website
https://filme.imyfone.com, has a page on how to convert
text or speech / voice to Plaintiff’s AI voice which can be
found at https://filme.imyfone.com/voice-change/arijitsingh-voice/. It is stated that apart from this page, the said
website also directs the user to AI platforms i.e., voxbox
and magic mic, where any text/ speech or voice can be
converted into the Plaintiff’s AI voice. Screenshots of the
website, i.e., https://filme.imyfone.com are at Exhibit “P”
to the Plaint Sand screenshots from the page
https://filme.imyfone.com/voice-change/arijit-singh-voice/
and a video of the screen recording from the said website in
a pen drive are at Exhibit “P-*” to the Plaint.
(vi) It is stated that the Defendant No. * is a company which
inter-alia produces music and conducts modules / courses
and uses AI tools for the same such as Defendant No. *’s
portal, for creating music using AI models of well-known
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singers / celebrity, etc. It is stated that the Impugned Video
* uploaded on the Defendant No. *’s YouTube channel
“Basslila” provides a tutorial for members of the public to
convert text or speech / voice to Plaintiff’s AI voice and
unauthorizedly uses deepfake and face morphing
technology to create the Impugned Video * which uses,
imitates and misappropriates for commercial gain, the
Plaintiff’s name, voice, mannerism / manner of singing,
image, likeness, persona, without the Plaintiff’s consent. An
electronic copy of the Impugned Video * is stored in a pendrive filed at Exhibit “Q” to the Plaint. Printouts of other
relevant webpages are at Exhibits “Q-*” to “Q-*” to the
Plaint.
B. Falsely representing an association with the Plaintiff
(i) My attention is drawn to the averments in respect of the
Defendant No. * which are at paragraph *(V)(i) of the
Plaint and documents in support thereof at Exhibit “R” to
the Plaint. It is stated that the Defendant No. * is a
restaurant / pub which, as it appears, hosted an event in
Bengaluru, Karnataka by unauthorizedly using for
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commercial gain, the Plaintiff’s name and image.
(ii) My attention is then drawn to the averments in respect of
the Defendant No. * which are at paragraph *(IX)(i) of
the Plaint and documents in support thereof at Exhibit “V”
to the Plaint. It is stated that the Defendant No. * invited
its users to sign up for a music event taking place in a
virtual reality city hosted the website www.maicity.io. Upon
signing up for the Defendant No. *’s event, the name and
image / likeness of the Plaintiff was broadcasted /
advertised / displayed to users so as to misrepresent to
such users that the Plaintiff would be performing at
Defendant No. *’s music event and / or that the Plaintiff
had endorsed the Defendant No. *’s music event.
C. Sale of Merchandise bearing the Plaintiff’s name, image,
likeness and caricature
(i) Mr. Kamod draws my attention to the averments in respect
of the Defendant Nos. * to * which are at paragraph
*(VII)(i) to (xi) of the Plaint and documents in support
thereof at Exhibits “T” to “T-*” to the Plaint. It is stated
that the Defendant Nos. * to * are commercially
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exploiting the Plaintiff’s publicity rights, goodwill and
reputation i.e. by advertising, promoting and offering for
sale various merchandise such as posters, caricatures,
portraits, t-shirts / clothing, framed photographs, guitar
tabs, face-masks, phone cases, pillows, bottles, hoodies,
sweatshirts, greeting cards, mugs, pins, magnets, spiral
notebook, tote bags and zipper pouches bearing the
Plaintiff’s name, image, photograph and / or likeness on
various e-commerce websites / platforms viz.
www.amazon.in, www.flipkart.com, www.desertcart.ae,
www.kreateworld.in, www.thebong.in, www.prints4u.net,
www.swagshirts99.com, www.meesho.com and
www.redbubble.com.
D. Platforms to create, store, search for and share Graphic
Interchange Format files (GIFs) in respect of the Plaintiff
(i) My attention is drawn to the averments in respect of the
Defendant Nos. * and * at paragraph *(VIII) of the
Plaint and documents in support thereof at Exhibits “U” to
“U-*” to the Plaint. It is stated that the Defendant Nos. *
and * are allowing their users / members of the general
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public to create, store, search for and share GIFs
comprising of short video recordings of the Plaintiff’s
performances which also exploit the Plaintiff’s image,
likeness and persona. It is stated that the Defendant Nos.
* and * are unauthorizedly commercially exploiting the
Plaintiff’s name, image, photograph / caricature, likeness,
goodwill and reputation to make undue profits for
themselves. Further, the unauthorised and uncontrolled
dissemination and use of the GIFs bearing the Plaintiff’s
image, likeness and persona through the Defendant Nos. *
and *’s platforms has subjected the Plaintiff to ridicule,
embarrassment and humiliation thereby prejudicially
affecting his reputation.
E. Infringing domain names
(i) It is stated that certain unknown entities have registered
the domain names arijitsingh.com and arijitsingh.in
containing the whole of the Plaintiff’s name. It is stated
that upon accessing the website hosted on arijitsingh.com,
the webpage redirects to https://goid.com/app/home
which appears to be a third-party website. There is no
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website available on arijitsingh.in. Printouts from Whois
showing the particulars of the domain names
arijitsingh.com and arijitsingh.in are at Exhibit W to the
Plaint which show that Defendant Nos. */* and * are
the Registrar of the said domain names.
*. It is stated that the Defendant Nos.*/* are the registrars of
www.100xengineers.com and arijitsingh.com, Defendant No. *
is the registrar of www.jammable.com (formerly www.voicify.ai) ,
Defendant No. * is the registrar of www.topmediai.com,
www.filme.imyfone.com, and www.huggingface.co, Defendant
No. * is the registrar of arijitsingh.in. and Defendant No. * is
the registrar of www.audimee.com.
*. It is stated that the Defendant Nos. * is the owner / operator of
the cloud data storage platform hosted on the domain name
www.drive.google.com, the website hosted on
www.docs.google.com and the video streaming platform hosted
on www.youtube.com used by the Defendant Nos. *, * and * to
store and share their files / data and the Impugned Videos. It is
stated that the Defendant Nos. * to * are the owners of the ecommerce platforms hosted on www.amazon.in,
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www.flipkart.com, www.meesho.com, and www.redbubble.com,
respectively, on which the Defendant Nos. * to * are listing
their impugned goods bearing the Plaintiff’s name / image /
photograph / likeness / caricature. For the purposes of the
present suit, the reliefs sought by the Plaintiff against these
Defendant Nos. * to * are limited to disclosure of the
particulars of the Defendant Nos. * to *, * and *, and take
down / removal of the infringing links / listings on their
respective platforms.
*. Mr. Kamod submits that the aforesaid instances of violation of
the Plaintiff’s personality rights are not exhaustive and that in
addition to the above, there are several entities / persons who
are operating in a clandestine manner without a clear disclosure
of their names, address and other details. He submits that the
Defendants whose details are available with the Plaintiff are
being impleaded in their named capacity, while the Defendants
who have taken steps to ensure that their details are not freely
available to the public, are being impleaded as Defendant No. *
viz.“Ashok Kumar” or “John Doe”. He further submits that at this
ex-parte stage, the Plaintiff is not pressing for any reliefs against
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the Defendant No. *.
*. Mr. Kamod further submits that the Defendant Nos.* to * appear
to be in the business of providing means and tools to their
customers to unauthorizedly create AI generated voice models of
celebrities and popular fictional characters. He submits that the
Defendant Nos. *, * to * are unauthorizedly commercially
exploiting the Plaintiff’s personality traits namely, his name,
image, photograph / caricature and likeness on various
merchandise. He submits that these Defendants are misusing
and exploiting the Plaintiff’s personality traits for personal and
commercial gain at the expense of the Plaintiff’s rights. He
submits that permitting the Defendants to continue exploit /
violate the Plaintiff’s personality / publicity rights, without
Plaintiff’s consent also jeopardizes the Plaintiff’s career as a
performer / singer and his status of a celebrity. He submits that
in so far as acts of Defendant Nos.*,* and * are concerned, the
act of creating and disseminating videos (by using the name,
photograph etc. of the Plaintiff) that instruct individuals on how
to use unauthorized AI models to replicate a celebrity's voice
such as Plaintiff without his consent cannot be shielded under
the right of freedom of speech and expression. He submits that
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unless reliefs as prayed for are granted, grave and irreparable
loss and injury will be caused to the Plaintiff, and monetary
compensation will not be an adequate relief.
*. In support of his submissions, Mr. Kamod relied upon the
following decisions:
a. Karan Johar (Also known as Rahul Kumar Johar) v. Indian
Pride Advisory Pvt. Ltd. & Ors., Order dated 13th June *
in Interim Application (L) No.* of * in Commercial
IPR Suit (L) No.* of *,
b. Anil Kapoor v. Simply Life India, * SCC OnLine Del
*,
c. Amitabh Bachchan v. Rajat Nagi, (*) * HCC (Del) *,
d. D.M. Entertainment (P) Ltd. v. Baby Gift House, * SCC
OnLine Del *, and
e. Applause Entertainment Private Limited v. Meta Platforms
Inc. and others, Order dated 13th June * in Interim
Application (L) No.* of * in Commercial IPR Suit
(L) No.* of *.
*. I have heard Mr. Kamod at length, and I have perused the
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documents on record. I have also seen some of the videos /
recordings stored on the per-drive annexed along with the
Plaint. Prima facie, I am convinced that the documents on
record establish that the Plaintiff in a notable singer / performer
in India who has gained immense goodwill and reputation over
the course of a very successful career and has acquired a
celebrity status in India.
*. It is now well-settled that celebrities are entitled to protection of
the facets of their personality such as their name, images,
likeness, voice, signature, etc. against unauthorized commercial
exploitation by third parties. Recently, this Court in Karan Johar
(Also known as Rahul Kumar Johar) v. Indian Pride Advisory
Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. (supra) has held that personality / publicity
rights are vested in celebrities and the unauthorized use of the
name or other persona attributes of celebrities would amount to
violation of their valuable personality rights and right to
publicity. In this regard it would also be relevant to consider the
following observations of the Delhi High Court in Anil Kapoor v.
Simply Life India, * SCC OnLine Del *:
“ * . The celebrity's right of endorsement would in fact
be a major source of livelihood for the celebrity, which
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cannot be destroyed completely by permitting
unlawful dissemination and sale of merchandise such
as t-shirts, magnets, key chains, cups, stickers, masks,
etc. bearing the face or attributes of their persona on it
without their lawful authorisation.
*. Moreover, any form of misuse or commercial use
of a celebrity's name, voice, persona, likeness has also
been disapproved by the Supreme Court in the
seminal judgment of R. Rajagopal v. State of
T.N., (*) * SCC *, famously called as the ‘Auto
Shankar case’. The relevant extracts of the same are
set out below:
“*. The right to privacy as an independent
and distinctive concept originated in the
field of Tort law, under which a new cause of
action for damages resulting from unlawful
invasion of privacy was recognised. This
right has two aspects which are but two
faces of the same coin — (*) the general law
of privacy which affords a tort action for
damages resulting from an unlawful
invasion of privacy and (*) the
constitutional recognition given to the right
to privacy which protects personal privacy
against unlawful governmental
invasion. The first aspect of this right must
be said to have been violated where, for
example, a person's name or likeness is
used, without his consent, for advertising —
or non-advertising — purposes or for that
matter, his life story is written — whether
laudatory or otherwise — and published
without his consent as explained
hereinafter […] …..
*. We may now summarise the broad
principles flowing from the above
discussion:
(*) The right to privacy is implicit in the
right to life and liberty guaranteed to the
citizens of this country by Article *. It is a
“right to be let alone”. A citizen has a right
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to safeguard the privacy of his own, his
family, marriage, procreation, motherhood,
child-bearing and education among other
matters. None can publish anything
concerning the above matters without his
consent — whether truthful or otherwise
and whether laudatory or critical. If he does
so, he would be violating the right to privacy
of the person concerned and would be liable
in an action for damages. Position may,
however, be different, if a person voluntarily
thrusts himself into controversy or
voluntarily invites or raises a controversy.
(*) The rule aforesaid is subject to the
exception, that any publication concerning
the aforesaid aspects becomes
unobjectionable if such publication is based
upon public records including court
records. This is for the reason that once a
matter becomes a matter of public record,
the right to privacy no longer subsists and it
becomes a legitimate subject for comment
by press and media among others. We are,
however, of the opinion that in the interests
of decency [Article *(*)] an exception
must be carved out to this rule, viz., a
female who is the victim of a sexual assault,
kidnap, abduction or a like offence should
not further be subjected to the indignity of
her name and the incident being publicised
in press/media.
(*)……..”
*. The technological tools that are now freely
available make it possible for any illegal and
unauthorised user to use, produce or imitate any
celebrity's persona, by using any tools including
Artificial Intelligence. The celebrity enjoys the right of
privacy, and does not wish that his or her image, voice,
likeness is portrayed in a dark or grim manner, as
portrayed on the porn websites. Moreover, the
Plaintiff's image is being morphed along with other
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actresses in videos and images generated in a manner,
which are not merely offensive or derogatory to the
Plaintiff, but also to such other third-party celebrities
and actresses.
* . The Court cannot turn a blind eye to such misuse
of a personality's name and other elements of his
persona. Dilution, tarnishment, blurring are all
actionable torts which the Plaintiff would have to be
protected against.
* . Even the domain names that have been registered
are just being squatted upon, and there can be no
reason why the same could be allowed to be squatted
upon. The creation of ringtones and GIF images for
commercial gains would also be a complete misuse of
Plaintiff's rights.
* . Under these circumstances, this Court has no
doubt in holding that the Plaintiff's name, likeness,
image, persona, etc., deserves to be protected, not
only for Plaintiff's own sake but also for the sake of his
family and friends who would not like to see his
image, name and other elements being misused,
especially for such tarnishing and negative use.
*. The present case shows how elements of
intellectual property that protect the attributes of an
individual, in fact have other dimensions including
rights protected by the Constitution of India.
(emphasis is mine)
*. In view of the aforesaid, prima facie, I am of the view that the
Plaintiff’s personality traits and/or parts thereof, including the
Plaintiff’s name, voice, photograph / caricature, image, likeness,
persona, and other attributes of his personality are protectable
elements of the Plaintiff’s personality rights and right to
publicity.
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*. It is a settled proposition of law that in an action for protecting
personality rights and right to publicity, establishing the
celebrity status of the plaintiff is only the primary ingredient.
Additionally, it must be established that the plaintiff is
identifiable from the defendant’s unauthorized use and that such
use by the defendant is for commercial gain. In the present Suit,
prima facie, the record shows that in the course of their
impugned activities Defendant Nos. * to *, * to *, * and *
are unauthorizedly using the Plaintiff’s personality traits such as
name, image, likeness, etc. and that the Plaintiff can be
specifically identified during such use. It also appears that such
illegal exploitation of the Plaintiff’s personality rights and right
to publicity by the Defendant Nos. * to *, * to *, * and * is
for commercial and personal gain. Pertinently, all this is being
done by these Defendants without any permission or
authorization of the Plaintiff. Making AI tools available that
enable the conversion of any voice into that of a celebrity
without his/her permission constitutes a violation of the
celebrity's personality rights. Such tools facilitate unauthorized
appropriation and manipulation of a celebrity's voice, which is a
key component of their personal identity and public persona.
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This form of technological exploitation not only infringes upon
the individual’s right to control and protect their own likeness
and voice but also undermines their ability to prevent
commercial and deceptive uses of their identity.
*. What shocks the conscience of this Court is the manner in which
celebrities, particularly performers such as the present Plaintiff
are vulnerable to being targeted by unauthorized generative AI
content such as that of some of the Defendants herein. These
Defendants are attracting visitors / drawing traffic to their
websites and/or AI platforms by capitalizing on the Plaintiff’s
popularity and reputation, thereby subjecting the Plaintiff
personality rights to potential abuse. These Defendants are
emboldening internet users to create counterfeit sound
recordings and videos that misuse the Plaintiff’s character and
identity. In my view, creation of new audio or video content /
songs / videos in the Plaintiff’s AI name / voice, photograph,
image, likeness and persona without his consent and
commercially using the same could potentially jeopardize the
Plaintiff’s career / livelihood. Additionally, allowing the
Defendants to continue using the Plaintiff’s name, voice, likeness
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etc. in the form of an AI content, without consent of the Plaintiff,
not only risks severe economic harm to the Plaintiff’s life/career,
but also leaves room for opportunities for misutilization of such
tools by unscrupulous individuals for nefarious purposes.
*. Further, there cannot be any doubt that the advertisement,
promotion and sale of merchandise such as posters, caricatures,
portraits, t-shirts / clothing, framed photographs, guitar tabs,
face-masks, etc. bearing / exploiting the Plaintiff’s personality
traits as done by the Defendant Nos. * to *, without any
permission from the Plaintiff, is in violation of the Plaintiff’s
personality rights and right of publicity. Moreover, in the present
case, the Plaintiff has specifically pleaded that he has made a
conscious personal choice to refrain from any kind of brand
endorsement or gross commercialization of his personality traits
for the past several years.
*. In the context of freedom and speech and expression, I agree
with the submission of Mr. Kamod that even though such
freedom allows for critique and commentary, it does not grant
the license to exploit a celebrity's persona for commercial gain.
In these circumstances, this Court is inclined to protect the
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Plaintiff against any wrongful exploitation of his personality
rights and right to publicity.
*. In view of the aforesaid and considering the averments made
paragraphs * to * and * of the Plaint, I am of the prima facie
view that the Plaintiff has made out a strong case for the grant
of ad-interim injunction, which may also operate as a dynamic
injunction. Mr. Kamod’s reliance on the judgment of this Court
in Applause Entertainment Private Limited v. Meta Platforms Inc.
and others (supra) is apposite. The balance of convenience is in
favour of the Plaintiff and against the Defendant. Unless the
reliefs as prayed for are granted, the Plaintiff will suffer
irreparable injury which cannot be compensated in terms of
money.
*. Mr. Kamod submits that at this ex-parte stage, the Plaintiff is
only pressing for reliefs in terms of prayer clause (a), (d), (e),
(f) and (g) of the captioned Interim Application and that the
Plaintiff will press for further ad-interim reliefs in respect of the
remaining prayer clauses at a later stage, after giving notice to
the Defendants.
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*. According to me, in view of what is stated hereinabove and in
paragraph * of the Plaint, giving notice to the Defendants
would defeat the purpose of the Plaintiff’s present application.
In these circumstances, there shall be an ex-parte ad-interim
order in terms of prayer clauses (a), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of the
captioned Interim Application, except the portion in red brackets
and modifications / clarifications hereinbelow. The extracted
prayer clauses are as under:
“(a) that pending the hearing and final disposal of the
suit, the Defendant Nos. * to *, * and *, by
themselves, their partners, proprietors, directors,
owners, developers, servants, subordinates,
representatives, employees, suppliers, affiliates,
agents, stockists, distributors, dealers, subsidiaries,
franchisees, licensees, assigns, predecessors and / or
all persons / entity claiming through them be
restrained by a temporary order of injunction from
violating the Personality Rights and / or Publicity
Rights of the Plaintiff by utilizing and/or in any
manner, directly or indirectly, using or exploiting or
misappropriating the Plaintiff’s Personality Rights
and / or Publicity Rights by the use of his (i) name
“Arijit Singh”, (ii) voice / vocal style and technique /
vocal arrangements and interpretations, (iii)
mannerism / manner of singing, (iv)
photograph, image or its likeness, (v) signature,
persona, and / or any other attributes of his
personality in any form, for any commercial and/or
personal gain and/or otherwise by exploiting them in
any manner whatsoever, without the Plaintiff’s
consent and/or authorization, including but not
limited to through the use of any technology including
but not limited to (i) unauthorized use of any of the
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Plaintiff’s personality traits in any form or media,
including online platforms, publications,
advertisements, promotional materials, merchandise,
domain names, or any other commercial endeavor, (ii)
creating or using artificial intelligence voice models, or
voice conversion tool, synthesized voices or digital
avatars, caricatures, that imitate or mimic or represent
the Plaintiff or Plaintiff’s personality traits, and (iii)
artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence,
machine learning, deepfakes, face morphing and / or
GIFs, or any of them, on any medium or formats
including but not limited to the physical medium, the
virtual medium such as websites, Metaverse, social
media, etc;
(d) that pending the hearing and final disposal of the
suit, Defendant Nos. *, * and * be ordered and
directed to remove or cancel or suspend the impugned
domain names arijitsingh.com and arijitsingh.in, or in
the alternative transfer the impugned domain names
arijitsingh.com and arijitsingh.in to the name of the
Plaintiff;
(e) that pending the hearing and final disposal of the
suit, the Defendant Nos. * to * be ordered and
directed to take down / remove / delete / block access
to / suspend all [infringing content that has been
uploaded by the Defendants herein as well as] the
infringing URLs identified by the Plaintiff in Exhibit X
to the plaint;
(f) that pending the hearing and final disposal of the
suit, the Defendant Nos. * to * be ordered and
directed to disclose all particulars of the Defendant
Nos. * to *;
(g) that pending the hearing and final disposal of the
suit, the Defendant Nos. * to * be ordered and
directed to disclose all particulars of the Registrant(s)
of the impugned domain names
www.100xengineers.com, www.jammable.com,
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www.topmediai.com, www.filme.imyfone.com, and
www.huggingface.co, “arijitsingh.com”, “arijitsingh.in”
and “www.audimee.com” to the Plaintiff;”
*. The aforesaid order / directions shall not operate against the
Defendant No. * at this stage.
*. In so far as aforesaid prayer clause (d) is concerned, it is
clarified that at this stage, the Defendant Nos. *, * and *
shall only lock / suspend the domain names arijitsingh.com and
arijitsingh.in and they shall not permit any transfer thereof to
third parties until the next date of hearing. On the next date,
after giving notice to these Defendants, this Court shall consider
the Plaintiff’s application to take over these domain names
subject to payment of requisite charges.
*. While there cannot possible be any reasonable justification for
the blatant violation of the Plaintiff’s personality rights and right
to publicity as aforesaid, I do not think that taking down the
entire videos of the Defendant Nos. *, * and * on the following
links is appropriate. A direction to these Defendants to simply
remove or delete all the references to the Plaintiff’s name,
image, voice, personality traits etc. in the said videos should
suffice. Accordingly, in so far as the videos on the following links
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(also reproduced in Exhibit “X” to the Plaint) are concerned, the
Defendant Nos.*, * and * are directed to edit/delete/remove all
references to the Plaintiff’s personality traits, including his
name, voice, image, likeness, etc. from the said videos:
a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ0fgV-kXwI
b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GmiiekhOak
c. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lhof7oKeU4
d. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kni5mn9TFgU
e. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iGSNeU-tDY
*. The Defendant Nos. * to * are directed to comply with the
directions passed in terms of prayer clauses (f) and (g) of the
Interim Application reproduced above, within two weeks from
the date of service of this order. The Defendant Nos. * to * are
directed to co-operate with the Plaintiff, its representatives and
Advocates to provide the necessary details for the effective
implementation of this order.
*. Compliance of Order XXXIX Rule * CPC is also permitted by
email considering the large number of Defendants, and the fact
that most of the contact details may not be available. In so far as
those Defendants for whom postal addresses are available, the
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Plaintiff shall also in addition do compliance by speed post
service. The said compliance shall be done within two days of
this order being made available.
*. Liberty to the Defendants to apply for a variation or
modification of this order after at least * clear working days’
notice to the Advocates of the Plaintiff.
*. List the above Interim Application on 2nd September, * for
further ad-interim reliefs.
*. This order will continue till 3rd September, *.
*. This order will be digitally signed by the Private Secretary /
Personal Assistant of this Court. All concerned will act on
production of a digitally signed copy of this order.
[ R.I. CHAGLA J. ]
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The document is an order from the High Court of Judicature at Bombay regarding a case between Arijit Singh (the Plaintiff) and Codible Ventures LLP and others (the Defendants). The plaintiff sought protection of his personality rights against unauthorized commercial exploitation by the defendants. The Plaintiff is a celebrated artist, recognized globally. He asserts exclusive rights over his name, voice, image, and other personal attributes. The defendants are accused of using these traits without permission for commercial gain, particularly through AI technology. After examining the evidence, the court granted an ex-parte ad-interim order in favor of the plaintiff, restraining the defendants from violating the plaintiff's personality and publicity rights. The case is scheduled for further hearing on 2nd September, *.
whta are the (*) Facts of the Case and Background of the Decision, (*) Issues Raised, (*) Decision and Ratio, (*) Analysis, (*) Impact on Indian IPR Law.
*. Facts of the Case and Background of the Decision: The plaintiff, Arijit Singh, is a globally recognized artist who sought protection against unauthorized commercial exploitation of his personality rights by the defendants, including his name, voice, image, and other personal attributes. The defendants allegedly used these traits without permission for commercial gain, particularly through AI technology.
*. Issues Raised: The primary issue was the unauthorized commercial use of the plaintiff's personality traits by the defendants, which the plaintiff argued was a violation of his personality rights and right to publicity.
*. Decision and Ratio: The court granted an ex-parte ad-interim order restraining the defendants from violating the plaintiff's personality and publicity rights. The court determined that the plaintiff had made out a strong case for the grant of the ad-interim injunction, and that balance of convenience was in favour of the plaintiff.
*. Analysis: The court recognized the plaintiff's personality rights and noted that these rights were protectable elements. It also recognized the potential harm that could be caused to the plaintiff's career and reputation due to unauthorized use of his personality traits.
*. Impact on Indian IPR Law: This case highlights the growing recognition and importance of personality rights and right to publicity in Indian IPR law. It underscores the potential legal
*. Issues Raised: The primary issue was the unauthorized commercial use of the plaintiff's personality traits by the defendants, which the plaintiff argued was a violation of his personality rights and right to publicity.
*. Decision and Ratio: The court granted an ex-parte ad-interim order restraining the defendants from violating the plaintiff's personality and publicity rights. The court determined that the plaintiff had made out a strong case for the grant of the ad-interim injunction, and that balance of convenience was in favour of the plaintiff.
*. Analysis: The court recognized the plaintiff's personality rights and noted that these rights were protectable elements. It also recognized the potential harm that could be caused to the plaintiff's career and reputation due to unauthorized use of his personality traits.
*. Impact on Indian IPR Law: This case highlights the growing recognition and importance of personality rights and right to publicity in Indian IPR law. It underscores the potential legal
complete it
implications of using AI technology for unauthorized commercial exploitation of an individual's personality traits. The decision reinforces the need for clear legal frameworks to govern the use of such technology, balancing innovation with the protection of individual rights. It also emphasizes that monetary compensation may not be sufficient in cases of violation of personality rights, and injunctions may be necessary to prevent further harm.
explain the Impact on Indian IPR Law in detail
The impact on Indian IPR law is significant as it reinforces the growing recognition and importance of personality rights and right to publicity. The decision:
*. Highlights the legal implications of using AI technology for unauthorized commercial exploitation of an individual's personality traits.
*. Emphasizes the need for clear legal frameworks to govern the use of such technology, balancing the rights of individuals with technological innovation.
*. Shows that courts are willing to grant injunctions to prevent further harm, signaling that monetary compensation may not be sufficient in cases of violation of personality rights.
*. Sets a precedent for future cases involving AI and personality rights, providing guidance on how these complex issues can be addressed within the current legal framework.
Overall, this decision contributes to the evolving legal landscape surrounding personality rights, AI, and intellectual property in India.
*. Highlights the legal implications of using AI technology for unauthorized commercial exploitation of an individual's personality traits.
*. Emphasizes the need for clear legal frameworks to govern the use of such technology, balancing the rights of individuals with technological innovation.
*. Shows that courts are willing to grant injunctions to prevent further harm, signaling that monetary compensation may not be sufficient in cases of violation of personality rights.
*. Sets a precedent for future cases involving AI and personality rights, providing guidance on how these complex issues can be addressed within the current legal framework.
Overall, this decision contributes to the evolving legal landscape surrounding personality rights, AI, and intellectual property in India.
make this into a single paragraph
This document is a court order from the Bombay High Court, where the plaintiff, globally recognized artist Arijit Singh, sought protection against unauthorized commercial exploitation of his personality rights by the defendants. The defendants were accused of using Singh's name, voice, image, and other personal attributes for commercial gain, particularly through AI technology. The court granted an ex-parte ad-interim order restraining the defendants from violating Singh's personality and publicity rights, balancing the protection of individual rights with technological innovation. This decision is significant as it reinforces personality rights and right to publicity in Indian Intellectual Property Rights law, sets a precedent for future cases involving AI and personality rights, and emphasizes the need for a clear legal framework governing the use of AI technology.